Full Day Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca with IceWalks
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour departs at 9:30 in the morning. The 6 hour tour is a classic on the Icefields Parkway where you get to spend the whole day exploring the Athabasca Glacier.
Bring your own lunch and enjoy it among the icefalls at the head of the glacier.
It is a hike of moderate difficulty requiring no technical skills. We supply all the gear required to comfortably explore the glacier.
IceWalks' guides are ACMG certified. Your friendly and informative guide will explain the natural history of the area, guide you safely through the icefalls, and show you the many ice formations on the glacier.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Service animals allowed
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
You will be provided micro-spikes (crampons for added traction on the ice) If you don't have your own: Rain gear, hiking boots, gloves, and hat
Warm layers - bring your own insulating layer
What To Expect
Athabasca Glacier
IceWalks' ACMG certified guides will meet you in the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre parking lot and gear you up for your adventure. You will be shuttled a short distance to the trailhead. This 10 km roundtrip walking tour will take you to the incredible icefalls at the head of the Athabasca Glacier where you will enjoy your lunch (bring you own) against the backdrop of shattered ice and rock. You will learn the natural history of the area and you will be immersed in the glaciated landscape, you'll see: crevasses, mill wells (waterfalls into the depths of the ice), meltwater streams, and icefalls. This will be the highlight of your trip on the Icefields Parkway. The pictures you take will capture the memories of a lifetime. No technical climbing experience required! The 6 hour tour is moderate in difficulty, suitable for active people with no health concerns or mobility/balance issues. Children aged 7 and up should be strong hikers and seniors who enjoy an active lifestyle.
Options
Full Day Glacier Hike
Reviews
27 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
I felt like Jon Snow on a Heike north of the wall in game of Thrones. I loved it.
Timo R,
Sep 9, 2024
- Viator
5.00Views, glacier-rivers, the blue ice, The glacier wall at the end of the hike up I dont want to say more.
Perfect Day In Jasper
Melissa S,
Jul 25, 2024
- Viator
5.00Absolutely amazing. We booked the night before because it was SO hot in Banff. We wanted to do the 3 hour tour but it was sold out so we did the 6. SO glad we did. If you are moderately fit, you should be okay. It’s a long walk but truly one of the most amazing experience. Larry was our guide and he was so good. Our group was small (3 couples and a single girl) and we were all about the same age and level of fitness. He did a great job of finding a good pace that everyone was good with and I loved learning about the glacier. Picnic on the ice away incredible. If you can swing the 6 hour, do that one. I wouldn’t recommend for children or people with limited mobility, but if you want the most out of your experience, all the best views are farther back on the glacier ;) definitely worth the price. You can’t go that far back safely without a guide.
A MUST DO!!
Kurt H,
Jul 18, 2024
- Viator
5.00one of the highlights of our trip to Banff and Jasper, a MUST DO!! Troy, our guide made it fun and shared his expansive knowledge of glaciers with us. There is so much to learn about them vs just a photo op and "walk on ice". If possible take the full day tour vs half day. Will take you to the top with stops on the way to view various characteristics of the glacier, including crevices, pools, running water streams and more, and Troy explained them all. Having lunch at the top was also very cool and time to learn more and meet others in the group. They keep the group small, 12 max, and Troy made it a point to spend time with each group within the group. Fantastic tour.
Fantastic experience
Carsten L,
Jul 14, 2024
- Viator
4.00Great views an Glacier and good explanation of the surroundings by guide. The glacier had lost already 1 m in height this year since end of may, that’s only 6 weeks. And a heat wave just started. A pity to see the fantastic glacier melting…
Worth the sweat
Sandra R,
Jul 9, 2024
- Viator
5.00We were lucky to experience and see this melting glacier. 3+ km walk uphill definitely took a toll on us, but its an experience that we might never have an opportunity to repeat so one thing crossed off of our bucket list. :)
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